Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has revealed that 20 liquor outlets have been shut down and hundreds of establishments flagged for non-compliance following 7,322 inspections as the province intensifies its crackdown on alcohol-related violence linked to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Addressing Gauteng's response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's directives on Sunday, November 1, Lesufi said authorities had issued 459 non-compliance notices and referred 566 liquor outlets to the Liquor Inspectorate for further inspections.

A total of 41 joint enforcement operations have also been conducted across the province.

"Enforcement operations will continue to target unlicensed liquor outlets, repeat offenders and illegal trading beyond permitted hours as part of broader efforts to address alcohol-related violence," Lesufi said.

The crackdown forms part of Gauteng's 90-day intervention programme following Ramaphosa's September 29 address, during which he called for coordinated action to address alcohol-related violence and strengthen the protection of women and children.

Lesufi said three of the eight directives relating to liquor enforcement had been completed, while the remaining five were under implementation.

The provincial government has also submitted strategic inputs on the proposed Liquor Bill as part of efforts to strengthen liquor regulation.

Specialised training for wardens is expected to begin in early November.

The premier said coordinated weekly by-law enforcement operations had begun across municipalities on October 1.

Lesufi said municipalities were also making progress in identifying unsafe public spaces that could expose women and children to violence.

Source: https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-11-01-gauteng-shuts-down-20-liquor-outlets-after-more-than-7300-inspections-in-gbv-crackdown/